Stems usually not branching, 1-3 dm. Leaves: basal persistent, 0.5-2 dm; blade lanceolate, tapering at base, flat, glabrous adaxially. Inflorescences 1-several-flowered. Flowers erect; perianth open, campanulate; sepals lanceolate, 10-12 mm, glabrous, apex acuminate; petals pale lavender, widely obovate, 14-16 mm, adaxial surface ± glabrous, not ciliate; glands not deeply depressed, bordered proximally by wide, ciliate membranes; anthers linear-oblong, apex obtuse or acute. Capsules erect, 3-winged, 1-2 cm. Seeds light brown, irregular. 2n = 20.

Flowering late spring--mid summer. Moist grassy areas, meadows, lake and bog margins; 1200--2500 m; Calif., Oreg.

Calochortus nudus hybridizes with C. minimus.